Mirroring Positive Human Rights and Philosophy (Dehumanizing Thought Experiment)

Let us continue to discuss the dehumanizing thought experiment to see if we can further our understanding as a society. This is a hypothetical philosophical discussion for learning purposes. We can explore ideas philosophically without getting too excited about it in a safe neutral place. You would sort of need to follow the thought experiment along for a while to truly understand the deeper points that are being made and the multiple interests and perspectives that come into play. We are seeking to learn from this example and develop a type of model of how such things might happen and under what circumstances. If we are lucky maybe find a few solutions.

 Brief Example: This is an example of where a small group of officials and wider social network dehumanized others. Intentionally false rumors hindered employment, damaged reputation unjustly, encouraged aggression, fostered illegal backroom agreements, etc. to teach out-group members "their place" in society (...often defined often by race, religion or politics). Dark triad traits mixed with a homogeneous social group that is highly exclusionary. (Most of the people are descent but they are sometimes immature and constantly judge each other for value.). Enough blatant mistakes were made that even the most adamant clan supporters couldn't give wink and nod justice anymore without looking bias or corrupt themselves (Internally motivated officials that uphold oaths have moral conscious the others are just making decisions that benefit themselves in some way. Every person on the planet is defined by their genuiness. From religious philosophy we learn about being judged to a mustard seed. This is what they are talking about. Our intentions matter. While I'm not particularly that religious one can learn from different philosophies about the nature of life. Back in the ancient world spirituality and life were interwoven so all philosophies had some moral order associated with them.) The corruption network started to crumble.

This example is clearly an atrocious one meant to bring forward the worst-case scenario. If we even smelt it, thought it could exist in any form then we would certainly make the tweaks and adjustments to improve and correct. We do this because we believe 100% in the institution and 110% in human rights. One must always answer to the other and we know that, so we preserve the functionality and trust of such institutions by always encouraging healthy adaptations. It’s the patriotic thing to do! (Not anchored to race, religion or politics)  

It also brings up the idea of patriotism. Imagine if one’s race and religion determined their Americanism and patriotism.  Those of one race or religion might be assumed by those who lack a higher thought pattern to be more American and worthy of rights without regard to merit when compared to others who may have earned their place many times over (i.e. the free riders and the producers). In such a situation the best of us may be blocked from full contribution because the lowest of us are confused about why this country started. That limits our long term creative and human capital.  

 This is why fundamentally all laws are built on human freedom and human development.  The study below should help us think about how when we treat each other well strengthen the whole through mirroring and social learning (and accountability). If we act with open consideration for all Americans and if our people act similarly, we could launch one of the greatest human capital growth spurts that puts the Renaissance in the pee wee league (Think of new technologies, data infrastructure, remote learning, and movement to a more universal democratic perspective. Just something to think about because adaptations and innovation timelines are shorter. What took the Renaissance generations to do we can do within a single generation. The ones now growing up.) Notice how being a better person, more kind, more positive acts, more patriotic, and more inclusive is the best path to improving societal performance.  Moral elevation mitigates dehumanization of ethnic outgroups

We learn we should always act with integrity with the highest alignment to our shared values.

If you want to get deeper into the philosophy you may want to read a quote by Benjamin Franklin,

 
“History affords us many instances of the ruin of states, by the prosecution of measures ill suited to the temper and genius of their people. The ordaining of laws in favor of one part of the nation, to the prejudice and oppression of another, is certainly the most erroneous and mistaken policy. An equal dispensation of protection, rights, privileges, and advantages, is what every part is entitled to, and ought to enjoy. . . . These measures never fail to create great and violent jealousies and animosities between the people favored and the people oppressed; whence a total separation of affections, interests, political obligations, and all manner of connections necessarily ensue, by which the whole state is weakened.” - Benjamin Franklin, 

Emblematical Representations, ca. 1774 Source: The Complete Works of Benjamin Franklin (New York: G. P. Putnam, 1887), 5:417.

Engels, T. et. al. (2024).  Moral elevation mitigates dehumanization of ethnic outgroups. Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology, 6 ,SSN 2666-6227, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cresp.2024.100187. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266662272400008X)